1 - Introduction
Sustainability of Engineered Rivers in Arid Lands
from Part I - Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 September 2021
Summary
This volume analyzes past, current, and future conditions in ten river basins from six continents, each located in arid or semi-arid climates, equipped with engineered dams designed to increase year-round water availability for irrigated agriculture, cities, and environmental flow; and each important for world food production and basin economies. This introductory chapter details the history of the inquiry and the research project. In the Challenge section of the book, we ask how water supply and demand are changing as a result of climate change, reservoir sedimentation, depletion of groundwater, and declining environmental flows. We then present case studies of each of the selected rivers: How do they recognize challenges and how do they deal with them? In the Response section, we discuss three important options for improved water management: water-wise irrigated agriculture, carefully designed inter-basin water transfers, and strong stakeholder participation.
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- Sustainability of Engineered Rivers In Arid LandsChallenge and Response, pp. 3 - 10Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021